Windows 10 is an operating system developed by Microsoft. Microsoft described Windows 10 as an ‘operating system as a service’ that would receive ongoing updates to its features and functionality, augmented with the ability for enterprise environments to receive non-critical updates at a slower pace, or use long-term support milestones that will only receive critical updates, such as security patches, over their five-year lifespan of mainstream support. Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group, said that the goal of this model was to reduce fragmentation across the Windows platform.[1]

Windows 10 Insider Preview builds are delivered to Insiders in three different rings.[2] Insiders in the fast ring receive updates prior to those in the slow ring, but might experience more bugs and other issues.[3][4] Insiders in release preview ring do not receive updates until the version is almost available to the public, but are comparatively more stable.[5]

PC version history

Legend:

Old version

Older version, still supported

Latest version

Latest preview version

Version 1507

Windows 10 version 1507, codenamed "Threshold 1", is the first release of Windows 10. It carries the build number 10.0.10240; while Microsoft has stated that there was no designated release to manufacturing (RTM) build of Windows 10, 10240 has been described as an RTM build by various media outlets.[6][7][8][9][10][11] It has been retroactively named "version 1507" by Microsoft per its naming conventions for future stable releases of the operating system.[12] The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on July 15, 2015, followed by a public release on July 29, 2015. Support of version 1507 ended on May 9, 2017 for devices in the Current Branch and Current Branch for Business, however, devices configured to receive updates from the Current Branch and Current Branch for Business continued to receive updates after that date.[13]

This is the first public preview build of Microsoft Windows 10. It introduces a hybrid start menu that combines the functionality of that of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. In this build, "Metro-Style" apps, direct predecessors to UWP apps, can be run in floating windows. Improvements are made to window management with the introduction of Task View that features virtual desktops. Other improvements in this area include the expansion of the window snapping feature allowing apps to be snapped on up to four corners with "Snap Assist" feature that suggest other windows to snap when the users snaps a window.[16][17]

The Windows command line console is updated with this build with new functionalities including, allowing users to cut, copy, and paste texts with the standard keyboard shortcuts, the ability to display the console at full screen at any display resolution, and transparency options.[16][18]

This is the last public preview build to have the version number of 6.4. This build brought upon one of the most controversial changes to the operating system by removing the OneDrive's "Smart Files" that allowed users to view and work with files on OneDrive through File Explorer even if they were not synced to the device. OneDrive now uses selective synchronization of local contents with the cloud service.[23][24]

Other UI changes in this build include the ability to hide the "Task View" and "Search" buttons from the Taskbar, updated minimize and restore animations, updated menu icon for "Metro-Style" apps from 3 dots to hamburger-style icon.[24]

New 3 finger gestures have also been added to switch to Task View and switch between virtual desktops.[24]

This build was released after Microsoft's January Windows 10 event where it showed off its upcoming roadmap for the operating system as well as introduced new hardware, including the Hololens and Surface Hub. This build brings an all-new Start menu built on top of the UWP APIs. It replaces the Start menu and Start screen, built on legacy DirectUI used on Previous Windows builds and releases. A full screen button is added to the new Start menu, allowing the user to toggle the full-screen experience without having to go to the Settings app, logging out, and logging back in, as it was required in previous builds.[30]

This build is the first build to introduce Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. It introduces the beta version of the Windows Store built using the UWP APIs. It also debuts the new Xbox app, which Microsoft announced would be used to stream Xbox One games directly to the PC.[31] A new alarm app is featured and it includes a world clock, timer, and stop watch[32] A new UWP Calculator app replaces the traditional Win32 calculator. Maps app with Cortana integration[33] and ability to save maps for offline use[34] A new Photos app is introduced with aggregated content and automatic enhancements.[35]

There are other user interface changes with this build, including restyled window frames and support for new languages. The Settings app is updated with new layout[36] The Taskbar is restyled with new opaque appearance, smaller application icons, and underlines to denote active applications. The Action Center is redesigned and includes with quick action buttons.[37] The search button on the Taskbar is changed to a search box by default. Option to pick default folder when opening File Explorer is added with this build. Early version of DirectX 12 is also included.

This build brings Cortana support to China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom. App updates for this build include Insider Hub, Photos, and Windows Feedback. User Interface changes include the addition of network connections fly-out that can be invoked from the taskbar, handwriting input canvas optimizations for short text entries, lock screen changes with "did you know" backgrounds to help users with Windows 10. The Start button is smaller and has a new hover animation. Functional changes and the addition of transparency to the Start menu. Open applications no longer appear on the taskbar across all virtual desktops by default and can be moved across desktops.

This build also adds the ability to unlock devices with Windows Hello, but requires manufacturers to implement a camera with said capabilities. Print to PDFs is also added.

This build debuts the public preview of Microsoft Edge web browser.[40] Alarms & Clocks, Calculator and Voice recorder have been updated with new interfaces. Bio Enrollment is also added, although its purpose is still not known and the app is not accessible.[41]

This build features several new apps as well as improvements to existing UWP apps. The Mail, Calendar, MSN Weather, MSN Money, and other apps have been updated with new interfaces and improved performance. Preview versions of the Music and Video apps are included along with their Windows 8 counterparts. Microsoft Solitaire Collection is now included with the operating system[45]

This build also brings several UI changes. There is now a new black system theme across the Start menu, Taskbar and Action Center. There is now transparency in the Start menu, the Taskbar, the Action Center, and preview windows, with options to enable or disable it. The Start menu is now resizable. Visuals have been refined for desktop icons, close buttons, and thumbnails

Tablet mode is improved such that entering Tablet mode now causes the Start button, Cortana, and the Task View buttons to all grow in size and space out to be more touch friendly. There is also a new setting to boot direct into Tablet Mode. For tablets under 10 inches, this is the default behavior.

Microsoft Edge has received improvement such that double-clicking on its titlebar now maximizes the application.

Released alongside Microsoft's 2015 build conference, this build introduces new default Windows system sounds. Cortana's user interface is significantly improved; it is now more seamlessly integrated with the Start Menu. Enhancements are made to live tiles, including new animations and the addition the option to disable a live tile. The Start menu's UI has been further refined. Through A/B testing, select users are chosen to experience a translucent Start menu with background blur. The settings app has been improved, including the addition of desktop personalization within the app.

Changes to the desktop user interface is included with this build. The File Explorer and Settings icons in the Start menu are moved to the bottom, near the Power option. The ability to toggle between Start menu and Start screen was moved to the new Start settings page under Personalization settings. People, MSN Weather, MSN Money, Insider Hub, and other apps have been updated with new interfaces and improved performance Microsoft Edge received a New Tab page.

This build also brings changes to how Windows 10 handles default apps. Now, apps cannot modify default apps; only the end user can do so from the Settings app. If an app attempts to change the defaults, the user will simply receive a message describing how to manually change the default apps.

This build brings various visual improvements. Users can now customize Start experience by opening the Settings app > Personalization > Start. There are new icon throughout the operating system. Jump Lists on the taskbar and Start menu, first introduced in Windows 7, are rebuilt using UWP APIs. Further improvements are made to tablet mode, video playback with the Movies & TV app, and Microsoft Edge (still named Project Spartan in this build). This build also adds the ability to print to PDF natively.

Starting with this build, Cortana's speech recognition can be launched using ⊞ Win+C.[56]

This build brings further UX improvements and refinements, updates to Cortana and its integration with apps and services. This build also includes app updates, including updates to the photos app and the Snipping Tool app that allows the capture of screenshot after a user defined timer. Starting with this build, the Insider Hub app is no longer installed by default but can be reinstalled from the Settings app. The legacy Windows Photo viewer app no longer has various picture format associations in the registry in favor of the Photos app.[60]

Microsoft Edge has also received significant improvements in this build. The browser no longer refers to itself as "Project Spartan"; instead, it bears the "Edge" name. Updates to the browser include an optional home toolbar button, the ability to import bookmarks from other browsers, dark theme, the ability to drag and drop tabs to another Microsoft Edge window, and auto-fill of forms and password fields. The user can also set what page Microsoft Edge displays upon startup and whether to display top sites and/or aggregated news content upon opening a new tab. Microsoft Edge can now also continue playing audio and video even when the app is minimized.

This build includes a new default desktop wallpaper, referred to as "hero image" by Microsoft, that would be included in the public release of Windows 10. The lockscreen is also updated to display a modified version of the default wallpaper on the page where the user enters their login credentials.

This is the first released to manufacturing (RTM) build of Windows 10. It was released to device manufacturers to be preloaded on their devices. This is also the build that was sold to retail stores in a USB installation media for customers who would like to purchase the operating system as a standalone retail product.

Commonly referred to as "Day One Patch", this is the first general availability build. It is the update users received when they upgraded to Windows 10 through the free upgrade offer or after checking for updates on PCs preloaded with Windows 10.

This cumulative update to Windows 10 adds new functionality to Microsoft Edge. For websites that display dialogue boxes multiple times, Microsoft Edge now provides a checkbox on the dialogue box to prevent further dialog boxes to pop up.[99]

Version 1511 (November Update)

Windows 10 November Update, or Windows 10 version 1511, codenamed "Threshold 2", is the first major update to Windows 10 and the second version of the operating system. It carries the build number 10.0.10586. The first preview was released on August 18, 2015. The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on November 3, 2015, followed by a public release on November 12, 2015 to existing Windows 10 users, and as a free upgrade from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Unlike the initial release of Windows, this branch was also made available to existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices and the Xbox One and as a preview release to Windows Server 2016, and was pre-installed on new Windows 10 Mobile devices. Support for this release for users of the Current Branch (CB) and Current Branch for Business (CBB) ended on October 10, 2017.[141]

In this build BitLocker adds support for XTS-AES encryption algorithm.[149] Other security related features include Enhanced Credential Guard.[150] In the Settings app, under Privacy, Call History and Email are now included.[151] Starting with this build, Windows Spotlight is available on the Windows 10 Pro edition.

This update can be applied to Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education editions only.

Version

Knowledge base

Release date(s)

Highlights

Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)

Windows 10 Anniversary Update, or Windows 10 version 1607, codenamed "Redstone 1",[207][208][209][210] is the second major update to Windows 10 and the first in a series of updates planned under the Redstone codenames.[210][211][212] It carries the build number 10.0.14393. The first preview was released on December 16, 2015. The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on July 18, 2016, followed by a public release on August 2.[213][214][215] This release of Windows 10 is supported for users of the Current Branch (CB), Current Branch for Business (CBB) and Long-Term Support Branch (LTSB)

Version 1703 (Creators Update)

Windows 10 Creators Update[280] or Windows 10 version 1703, codenamed "Redstone 2", is the third major update to Windows 10 and the second in a series of updates under the Redstone codenames.[281] It carries the build number 10.0.15063. The first preview was released to Insiders on August 11, 2016. The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on March 20, 2017, followed by a public release on April 5 via Update Assistant, and began to roll out on April 11.[282]

Version 1709 (Fall Creators Update)

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update,[331] or Windows 10 version 1709, codenamed "Redstone 3", is the fourth major update to Windows 10 and the third in a series of updates planned under the Redstone codenames. It carries the build number 10.0.16299. The first preview was released to Insiders on April 7, 2017. The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on September 26, 2017, followed by a public release on October 17.[332]

Version 1803

Windows 10 version 1803,[365] codenamed "Redstone 4", is the fifth major update to Windows 10 and the fourth in a series of updates planned under the Redstone codenames. The first preview was released to Insiders on August 31, 2017. It will be available in early 2018.[366]

This is the first public Windows 10 mobile pre-release build. It includes various changes from the operating system's predecessor, Windows Phone 8.1. The changes include an updated Start Screen where the wallpaper is displayed behind translucent tiles rather than within them and Live Tiles that can has a new tall size option for apps that support it. This feature would be removed in subsequent builds.[382] Further changes to the Start screen includes app list redesigned with wallpaper as background, recent installed apps being shown at top, and the ability to search for apps though a prominent search box rather than a search button.[383][384]

Other changes include changes to the general user experience, including the ability to expand notifications, actionable notifications,[385] Action Center with additional settings toggles and same design across Windows 10 devices. The keyboard has been updated to contains virtual pointing stick for text selection and a voice input button.[383] With this build, notifications can be synchronized between other Windows 10 devices. Furthermore, pressing and holding on any toggle in Action Center takes the user to respective settings of that option[386] When shutting down the device the OS displays a reminder of coming calendar events on screen[382][384][387]

Security features for this build include device encryption option.

New apps included in this build include a new file explorer app,[388] an Alarms app, adding world clock, timer, and stopwatch modes,[389] and a calculator app with a built in unit converter,[390] The web browser rendering engine of Microsoft Edge is hosted in Internet Explorer, with the intention of Internet Explorer bing replaced by Microsoft Edge in later builds.[391] The system's default camera app is now an updated version of the Lumia Camera app. Other apps include the photos app with OneDrive synchronization, collections and automatic photo enhancements, and the universal Sound recording app. The operating system also introduces the universal Settings app ported from the PC version.[382][384]

Microsoft introduces the Reachability feature for 5" devices and above, allowing users to press and hold the Windows button for entire screen to slide down fore easier reach topmost UI elements. Battery Saver now displays detailed information on an application's battery usage concerning lighting up the screen, running the processor or transferring data[397]

The settings app offers Split-view when in landscape mode on higher-res displays, offering a UI almost identical to that on the PC[398]

"Project Spartan" web browser adds the following features: InPrivate mode, secure sites – marked with a badge, full-screen videos, a "Save as" option for web images to convert files into .png or .jpg images [399] (in later betas, and released Windows 10, this app is branded as Microsoft Edge)

Other changes include 3G only setting for highest connection speed, more improvements to Cortana, the ability enable and disable OneDrive backups for individual applications, Digital video stabilization, and VPN Point to Point Tunnelling Protocol (PPTP) and Secure Socket Tunnelling Protocol (SSTP).

This build also has several minor UI changes, including the All Apps letter 'jump' buttons are ALL CAPS instead of lower case, search box replacing the search button at the top of the all apps list

"Project Spartan" is now branded as Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Edge gained option to view a website as "desktop" or "mobile". The browser's address bar moved to bottom of the screen

This build brings updated icons and visuals (including visual controls). Flashlight toggle is added as a quick action in the Action Center.[402] Quiet hours now has to be enabled from Cortana's notebook. Option for hiding notification panes on the lockscreen has been added. Finally, download limit on 3G networks removed.

The Photos app now shows albums (Camera roll, screenshots, saved photos); it also gained support for opening .gif files. Automatic camera roll back up is now enabled from the OneDrive application. The built-in camera application now supports Face detection[403]

In this build BitLocker adds support for XTS-AES encryption algorithm.[404] Other security related features include Enhanced Credential Guard.[150] In the Settings app, under Privacy, Call History and Email are now included.[151] Starting with this build, Windows Spotlight is available on the Windows 10 Pro edition.

Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)

Windows 10 Mobile Anniversary Update, or Windows 10 version 1607, codenamed "Redstone 1",[207][208][210][420] is the second major update to Windows 10 and the first in a series of updates planned under the Redstone codenames.[210][421][422] It carries the build number 10.0.14393. The first preview was released on December 16, 2015. It was released to the public on August 2, 2016.[213][214][215] The Redstone 1 release of Windows 10 is supported for users of the Current Branch (CB) and Current Branch for Business (CBB).

Version 1703 (Creators Update)

Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update[423] or Windows 10 version 1703,[424] codenamed "Redstone 2", is the third major update to Windows 10 and the second in a series of updates planned under the Redstone codenames.[425] The first preview was released to Insiders on August 11, 2016.

With this build, narrator has been improved in regards to using common keyboard navigation in tables. Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O for focusing on the address bar is also added to Microsoft Edge. New system sounds and ringtones are added.

The same snooze feature from PC is available on mobile, along with the performance improvements in text-entry heavy sites. The Wi-Fi settings page from the PC makes its way to Mobile, set to replace the legacy Windows Phone 8.1 based Wi-Fi settings page. However, as of now, the legacy Wi-Fi settings page also remains as a temporary fallback.

The Windows Feedback Hub app has been updated to include a dark mode that can be set by the user or automatically based on system theme, a settings page, and author's name in the details section of feedbacks. Other app updates include Windows Maps, which introduces the ability to check traffic for the commute route between home and work. The user can also see recently viewed traffic cameras for a particular rout. Finally, the app also includes a dark mode, which can be set by the user or automatically based on the system theme. The UWP Skype app also received an update to allow users to send SMS from their PC and relay it through their Windows Mobile device. Messages sent on Windows 10 Mobile will be visible on the PC and vice versa. This build also includes support for USB Audio 2.0 out of the box.[427]

Version 1709 (Fall Creators Update)

Windows 10 Mobile Fall Creators Update,[331] or Windows 10 version 1709. Despite sharing a name and version number with the "Redstone 3"-release for desktop is the Windows 10 Mobile build part of the "Redstone 2" branch, is the third major update to Windows 10 Mobile and the third in a series of updates planned under the Redstone codenames. The first preview was released to Insiders on April 14, 2017. The Fall Creators Update (Version 1709, 10.0.15254) was officially released on October 24, 2017.